More controversy after election

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – There’s more controversy with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s race.

Supporters celebrated as Nick Mackey was named victorious by a nearly 2 to 1 margin over interim Sheriff "Chipp" Bailey Thursday night, making Mackey the first African-American to become sheriff of Mecklenburg County.

"I'm very happy. It's an historic night and I talked to a lot of party leaders and now that this is over, we want to move forward toward bringing the party back together," said Mackey.

Not 12 hours later, it seemed history might be rewritten yet again. Republican County Commissioner Bill James announced he and other commissioners won't back the Democratic Party's recommendation.

"I am not going to support someone who is incompetent and has questionable ethics and give them the power to arrest or release people from jail," he said.

James charges the process was "racist" and says that under the current statute, commissioners don't have to set a deadline to appoint the next sheriff. If at least five commissioners don't vote in favor of Mackey; Bailey or the senior deputy below him could be kept in command.

"We're not going to sit on this for three years,” said County Commission Chairman Jennifer Roberts. “We need to act. Too many people hang in the balance -- employees wondering who their next leader is."

For now, Bailey says, "I'll remain acting sheriff until all legal and technical questions have been resolved by the state Democratic Party. At that time, I'll make a decision about my future.”

In the meantime, Mackey is taking the latest controversy in stride.

Jennifer Roberts says though she voted against Mackey in the election, she believes it’s important to move forward and plans to support the recommendation. How the remaining four Democrats on the commission plan to vote, only time will tell.